Spencer Bait & Tackle Sets New Deer Record

Staff Report

From flying arrows to the muzzleloading smoke poles, the harvested deer checked in at Spencer Bait and Tackle set a new 25-year record of 1,140 deer for 2009.

Store owner Gene Arnold said this year’s mark exceeds the 1995 record of 1,105 deer checked, which was the year state legislators instructed DNR to reduce Indiana’s deer herd. Therefore, DNR placed greater efforts in reducing the number of antler-less deer by increasing the number of antler-less permits available to the sportsmen.

The better than average weather was also a contributing factor to the increased harvest, Arnold noted, as hunters spent additional time in the field.

A few facts from the 2009 firearms’ harvest: 144 deer with eightpoint racks were checked in, 51 with nine points, 50 with 10 points, 20 with 11 points, and the most points were two with 17-point racks.

With a total of 812 firearms deer checked, 541 were deer harvested from Owen County. Arnold explained that it’s important to keep in mind this count is based solely on the deer checked-in at Spencer Bait and Tackle. The total Owen County harvest will be available from DNR during the summer of 2010 after final tabulations have been completed. Archery season continues through January 3, 2010.

Next for the sportsman is the upcoming “Coyote Round-Up,” which starts January 1 and runs through January 30. Sportsmen must signup at Spencer Bait & Tackle before January 1 to be entered into the contest. Details can be picked up at the store, located east of Spencer on State Road 46. Then once the ice sets in, ice fishing will be in full swing for those braving the cold to pull the fish out on top of the ice.